Semitrailer and auxiliary support



Feb. 5, 1 935. A. w. MOLINARE SEMITRAILER AND AUXILIARY SUPPORT Original Filed Aug. 5, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 5, 1935. A. w. MOLINARE Re. 1 9,45 l

SEMI'I'RAILER AND AUXILIARY SUPPORT Original Filed Aug. 5, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 zforzag /s.

Feb. 5, 1935.

A. w. MOLINARE SEMITRAILER AiID AUXILIARY SUPPORT 5 Sheets-Sheet .l I liillllb Original Filed Aug. 5, 1931 @VezaZ-ZZ".

Li)? Zforzz 6 Feb.

w. MOLINARE Re. 19,451

SEMiTRAILER AND AUXQELI-ARY SUPPORT Original Filed Aug. 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet ,4

s 14212 orzagy Feb. 5, 1935. A. w. MOLINARE SEMITRAILER AND AUXILIARY SUPPORT Original Filed Aug. 5, 1931 5 sheets-sheet 5 aeamed Feb. 5,1935 R 19,451 I UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE ssmr'raanna AND Auxnnlar surroa'r Anthony W. Molinare, Forest Park, 111., assignato Highway Trailer Company. Edger-ton, 1a., a corporation of .Wisconsin Original No. 1,919,447, dated July 25, 1933, Serial No. 555,200, August 5, 1931. Renewed Felinary 29, 1932. Application for reissue May 25. 1934, Serial No. 727,580

410mm. (c1. sac-33.1)

This invention relates to semi-trailers, and tion preparatory to shifting the auxiliary frame more particularly to the temporary load suprearwardly and causing movement of the supporting means for semi-trailers provided for susporting legs toinoperative position. taining the load at the forward end of the trailer Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing when it is detached from the tractor. the tractor and' trailer in coupled relation with 5 In the construction shown in Patents No. the temporary supports disposed in inoperative 1,783,087 and No. 1,785,697 issued to Harry W. position. Helms, November 25, 1930, and December 16,1930, Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view offthe respectively, there is employed a longitudinally trailer with the flooring members omitted and movable auxiliary frame on which is carried adwith the supporting means disposed in operative 0 jacent the forward end the upper fifth wheel position. 1 member and supporting legs rigidlv associated Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantherewith adjacent the rear end of said frame. tially as indicated at line 44 on Figure 1.

The auxiliary frame is so mounted as to permit Figure 5 isan enlarged partial vertical secl5 longitudinal movement, forwardly and rearwardtion taken at line 55 on Figure 2. r

1y relatively to the trailer main frame incident Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figures 1 to uncoupling or coupling respectively of the and 2 showing a modified construction for contractor and trailer units, and by virtue of such trolling the operation of the legs. 7

- movement the supporting legs on the auxiliary Figure 8 isaplan view (with the flooring memframe are carried into or out of operative posibers omitted) of the construction shown in Fig- 20 tion due to the tilting of said auxiliary frame ures.6 and 7. about a transverse axis adjacent the forward end Figure 9 is a'transverse section taken substanof the trailer. v tially as indicated at line 9 -9 on Figure 6.

The present invention represents certain re- Figure 10 is a view in side elevation of a modiflnements and improvements over the Helms fled form of the invention shown adapted to an 25 structures, and has for its object the provision of auxiliary frame which is arranged for movement temporary supporting means carried by the aux in a substantially horizontal direction and shown iliary frame and arranged'formovement relative in coupled relation with the tractor and with the thereto incident to the movement of the auxilsupporting means disposed in inoperative posiiary frame relative to the trailer main frame; tion. 30 said supporting means being constructed and Figure 11 is a fragmentary view of the forarranged so as to assume operative position well ward end" of the trailer and rear end of the tractoward the front end of the trailer for effectively tor with the supporting means disposed in opsupporting said forward end of the trailer when erative relation and the tractor in position ready the tractor is detached therefrom and thereby to be backed under the forward end of the trailer 3 prevent nose-diving of the trailer when loadpreparatory to coupling of the vehicle units. ing or unloading, said means also being adapted The constructions shown in Figures 1 to 5 and to be moved rearwardly, and at the same time up- 6 to 9 inclusive, are quite similar to constructions wardly, to inoperative position by the rearward shown in the Helms patents above mentioned 40 movement of the auxiliary frame incident to the wherein the longitudinally movable auxiliary coupling of the tractorv and trailer, so that the frame indicated at m is caused to assume an upsupport shall be carried far enough in the rear wardly tilted position, as seen in Figures 1 and 6 of the tractor to insure ample clearance for arwhen said frame is moved forwardly preparatory ticulation of the tractor andtrailer. The invento uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, and at tion consists in certain elements and features of which position the temporary supports are 45 construction in combination, as herein shown and caused to assume operative load-supporting posidescribed and as indicated by the claims. .tion. In each of these constructions the auxil- In the drawings: iary frame is supported at its forward end by the Figure 1 isa fragmentary side elevation of the tracks indicated at 11, cooperating with rollers, o tractor trailer combination, the trailer being pro- 12, journaled on a cross shaft, 13, supported ad vided with temporary supports embodying the jacent the forward end ofthe trailer, while the present invention and being shown disposed in rear end of the auxiliary frame is provided with operative position with the tractor ready to be guide rollers, 15, at opposite sides thereof, which either withdrawn from the trailer or to be backed are animated to travel in a confining guideway rearwarrlly for completing the coupling operaindicated at 16, formed in a cast member, 17,

secured tothe under side of an intermediate frame member, 18', of the trailer main frame, 18. As may be seen in Figures 3 and 8, these intermediate frame members,'18, extend longitudinally and are disposed inclose proximity to the side members, of the frame, 10. It is to be understood that said frame, 10, is locked in the main frame, 18, by suitable latch members indicated generally at 20, which are operated sub .stantially as disclosed in either of, the Helms patents above referred to. It may be here mentioned that the latch members are adapted to be shifting of the auxiliary frame rearwardly, and

thereby moving the supporting legs out of operative position until the fifth wheel members, 22 and 23, on the trailer and tractor respectively, are positively locked together. As shown in the drawings, the lower fifth wheel member, 23, carried on the tractor. indicated generally at A, is

-rockably mounted about a transverse axis and normally assumes a rearwardly tilted position.

-It will be nianifest that, as in the Helms constructions above referred to, the path of the auxiliary frame when moved longitudinally in either.

coupling or'uncoupling the tractor and trailer, is definitely controlled .by its rollers, .15, in the cast guideways, 16; and when said frame is extended to its forwardmost position the rollers, 15, are caused to seat against the flanges, 16 of the pockets, 16 at the lower ends of the guideways, 16, in which position of the parts the trailer is supported when detached from the tractor.v When the auxiliary frame is backed rearwardly relative to the trailer main frame it assumesa substantially horizontal position or a position at least parallel with the main frame of the trailer, as seen in Figures 2 and 7 respectively.

Referring now particularly to the temporary supporting means shown in Figures 1 to 5, said means includes a pair, of supporting legs, 26, the upper ends of which are rigidly secured to a transverse shaft, 27, journaled in bearings, 28, on the inner sides of the side members, 10', of the auxiliary frame, as seen in Figures 4 and 5. The lower ends of said legs are rigidly secured'to a transverse axle, 29, the outer ends of which carry the ground-engaging wheels indicated at 30. Said wheels may be swung about the axis of the pivot shaft, 2'1, by a pair of Jointed control links, 31 and 32, provided at opposite sides of the auxiliary frame, the upper link members, 31, being pivotally mounted at their upper ends on a transverse shaft, 33, while the lower links, 32, have their lower ends pivotally connected at 34 to the lower ends of the adjacent'legs, 26. The upper control link, 31, is formed at its upper side with an offset bracket, 31", in which is journaled a roller, 36, adapted to cooperate with a cam track, 3'7, rigidly secured to the under side of the intermediate members, 13, .of the trailer frame,

while'the lower side of the link, 31, has journaled thereon a plurality of rollers, 38, which are adapted to engage an inclined cam track, 40,the latter being shown formed integrally with the cast guideway member, 17, carried on the intermediate frame members, 18*. It will be understood that when the auxiliary frame is telescoped rear-. wardly into the main frame in the coupling of the tractor andtrailer, the roller, 36, by virtue of forwardly a sufllcient amount so that the rollers, 38, are just about free from the control of theseen in Figure 1. To insure against possible buckrelation to the auxiliary frame and includes a its engagement with the cam track, 37, maintains control links, 31 and 32, in braced relation until the frame has shifted 'rearwardly to the point where the rollers, 38, engage the cam track, 40. Continued rearward movement wherein the rear end of the auxiliary frame is traveling in an upward direction causes the rollers, 38, by virtue of their engagement with the cam track, 40, to swing the'upper link, 31, in counter-clockwise direction about its pivot, 33, breaking the hinge Jointbetween the bracemembers, 31 and 32, and thereby raising the supporting wheels, 30, out of engagement with the ground by causing the supporting legs, 26, to swing rearwardly about the axis of transverse shaft, 27, to the position seen in Figure 2. As may be seen in the drawings, this carries the supporting means a substantial distance rearwardly of the end of the tractor so as to insure ample clearance for free articulation of the tractor and trailer when coupled.

In the uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, it will be manifest that due to theweight of the temporary supporting means and because the wheels and; the supporting legs are disposed out of plum, there will be a natural tendency for the supporting legs to swing downwardly about the pivot shaft, 2'1, under the influence of gravity, but at the same time under the control of the rollers, 38, .engaged with the cam track, 40; and of course after the auxiliary frame has been moved cam track, 40, the roller, 36, is brought into cont-actwith the cam track, 3'7, which may be understood to be so shaped as to positively force or cramp the brace member, 31, in a. downward direction so that the brace members, 31 and 32, will assume a substantially straight line position, as

ling of the brace members, 31 and 32, in a downward direction at the hinge, the brace member,

32, is provided at its upper end with a lug, 32

overlapping the hinge connection and engaging the brace member, 31.

Referring now to the modified construction shown in Figures 6 to 9, the auxiliary frame is supported and controlled in its path of movement substantially as that above described, and as also disclosed in the Helms patents. In this construction the supporting means is movable bodily-in triangular shaped supporting structure comprising a' main strut, 45, and a diagonal brace, 46, which are rigidly secured at their lower ends to provide journal support for a transverse axle, 47, carrying at its outer ends ground-engaging wheels, 48. The upper ends of the strut and brace members, 45 and 46, are rigidly connected by a cast bracket, 49, which isformed toprovide journal supp rt for transverse shafts, 51 and 52, whose outer ends are provided with rollers, 53 and =4 respectively. The rollers-53, are confined for movement in longitudinal guideways formed by.

the inturned flanges of the channel-shaped side members, 10*, of the auxiliary frame, while each of the rollers, 54, is confined for movement in 9:

cast guideway, 55, which slopes in a forward and and downward direction, and which rigidly secured to the side of the web of the side member, 10*, of the auxiliary frame.

The lower end of the cast guideway, 55, is formed with'a pocket, 55', of contour somewhat similar to the pocket, 16", of a cast member, 17',

controlling the path of movement-"of the rear end 1 ill of the auxiliary frame, andis also formed as a flange, 55, serving as a support against which the rollers, 53, seat when the supporting means is disposed in operative positiomas in Figure 8.

tending cables, 58 and 58, both of which are'positively anchored at their upper ends to a fitting. 60, rigidly secured to the under side of the flooring members, designated at 18!. The cables, 58. are trained about spaced sheaves, 81, which are mounted on a transverse shaft, 82, iournaled in bearing brackets, 83, on the auxiliary frame side members, 10 i said cables continuing about said sheaves and having their opposite ends rigidly connected to'a lug, (9*, of the-triangular supporting means just below the pivot shaft, 52; these lugs also serve as the point of positive connection for the other cables, 59, which are trained rearwardly over the sheave wheels, 85,carriedon the transverse. shaft, 68, which also provides the support for the control rollers 15, at the rear end of the auxiliary frame. Thus when the auxiliary frameis pulled forwardly incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, substantially simultaneously with the downward movement of the rear end of the auxiliary frame, .the triangular supporting truss carrying the ground-engaging wheels, 48, commences to move forwardly in re spect to the auxiliary frame due to the shifting of the cable, 58, because it is trained around sheave members which are moved forwardly with said auxiliary frame; and when said frame has reached its forward limit and with the rollers, 15, seated against the flange, 18', of the pockets, 16'', of the cast guide member, 17, it will be seen that the roller, 54, has also arrived at the lower end of the guideway, 55, and seated against its flange, 55*, while the roller, 53, has moved a substantial distance forwardly along the channel of the auxiliary frame, in which position the triangular truss is disposed in vertical position and with its ground-engagin wheels in contact with the ground for effectively supporting the forward end of the trailer. Likewise, when the auxiliary frame is backed into the main frame incident to coupling of the tractor and trailer, the cables, 59. then come into play and are tensioned by the action of the sheave wheels, 65, thereagalnst as the rear end of the auxiliary frame is forced rearward, thus pulling the rear end of the triangular truss upwardly and rearwardly until the rollers, 53 and 4, are brought into contact with their respective stops, 56' and 56, respectively, at' which position the auxiliary frame has just reached its limit of rearward movement.

The modified construction shown in Figures 10 and 11 is slightly different from the construe tions above described, in that the auxiliary frame, 70, is longitudinally movable in a substantially horizontal direction. In this construction the forward end, of the auxiliary frame'is supported in much the manner as in the abovedescribed constructions, while the rollers, 71, at the rear end corresponding to rollers, 15, of the above described constructions, move in horizontally extending guideways, 72, secured to the intermediate frame member, 18 of the trailer main frame, 18. It-is to be understood that the latching devices and the coupling mechanism, together with the safety device above referred to, are substantially the same as those employed in the two forms of this invention already described. To facilitate the couplin of the tractor and trailer, and to accomplish such coupling'with the ease of the constructions above described, it is desirable ,to provide rollers, '15, jo'urnaled in brackets, 76,

at the forward endof the auxiliary frame, said rollers being so pwitioned as to be the first part of the trailer to come into conta'ctwith the upper surface of the rearwardly inclined fifth wheel member, 23, of the tractor, A, as it is backed toward the trailer'preparatory to coupling. By virtue of this construction the rollers will cause the tractor to gradually assume the load of the trailer, and may also cause lifting of the trailer slightly so as to facilitate the engagement of the king pin, 22, on the under side of the upper flfth'wheel member of the trailer for engagement in the rearwardly open V-shaped slot in the lower fifth wheel member, 23, of the tractor. 1

It may be understood that the temporary supporting means for use in connection with the present construction is quite similar to that disclosed in Figures 1 to 5, and includes a pair of supporting legs, 78, mounted at their upper ends on a transverse pivot shaftfll'l, joumaled in bearing brackets, 78, to the inner side of the web of the side members of the auxiliary frame, 70. The

lower ends of these legs, 76, are connected by a transverse axle, 79, the outer ends of which carry ground-engaging wheels, 80. The supporting legs, together with the ground-engaging wheels, may be swung about the axis of the shaft, 7'1, by a pair of controllinks or brace members, 81 and 82, hingedly-connected together, the lowerend of the lower member, 82, being pivotally connected at 83, to an intermediate point on the supporting legs, 78, while the upper end of the brace member, 81, is pivotally mounted on a transverse shaft, 84,

which, is lournaled in brackets, 85, on the auxillary frame. The upper brace member, 81, is formed as a triangular cast member providing a support for a roller member, 8'1, approximately midway between the effective pivots of said member, and said roller is adapted-to cooperate with an inclined cam bracket, 88, whic'h is formed as an integral part of the cast member, 89, which is secured ,to the under side of the intermediate frame member, 18'.

The hinge pivot between the brace members, 81 and 82, also carries a roller, 90, which is adapted to cooperate with a flxedshelf, 91, which is ina tegral with the cast member, 89, and is dimensi'oned and formed for crowding the upper brace member, 81, downwardly about the axis of the pivot shaft, 84, so that the pivots of the respective brace members, 81 and 82, are in substantially a straight line, as seen in Figure 11. It may be "understood that this shelf portion, 91, may be of suflicient length to maintain the bracemembers', 31 and 82, in operative position while the auxiliary frame is being te'loscoped rearwardly in the main frame until the roller, 87, of the upper brace member, 81, comes in contact with its cam track, 88, and it. will be manifest that the continued rearward movement of the auxiliary frame will 81, upwardly about. the axis of the pivot shaft, 84, and thus bucklingthe brace members, 81 and 82. This buckling causes-swinging of the supporting legs, together with the ground-engaging fore employed have all been such as to necessitate wheels,'rearwardly about the pivot shaft, 7'1, to the positionasseeninrigurclo.

When the auxiliary frame is pulled forwardly relatively to the main frame, 18. preparatory to uncoupling of the tractor'audtrailer, the supportinglegs will tend to swing downwardly into operative position under the force of gravity, and

of course, under the control of the roller, 87, and cam track, 88. But when the auxiliary frame has been moved forwardly to the point where the roller, 87, is disengaged from its cam track, the

said roller is moved out of engag ment with its cam track, 88. The purpom of this additional contact orengagement with the upper brace member,-81, is to insure maintaining. the brace members in extended position, and to prevent any tendency to buckling of the brace links due to looseness in the pivotal connections. The lower brace member, 82, is also provided wlth'an offset lug, 82, which overlaps the pivotal connection between the brace members, 81 and 82, and engages the brace member, 81, for preventing buckling of the brace members in a downward direction.

Heretofore, detachable semi-trailers, automatic tractor and trailer combinations, and semi-automatic tractor and trailer combinations, have all involved the diiliculty of properly supporting the forward end ofthe trailer when it is detached from the tractor so as to prevent nose-diving" of the forward end of the trailer when it is being loadedor unloaded. The constructions heretocarrying the legs so far rearwardly with respect to the forward end of the trailer that there resulted a substantial overhang, and unless the rear end of the trailer was made rather massive, resulting in its being undulyheavy, such trailers have usually required the exercise of extreme caution in the loading and unloading of the vehicles, so as to prevent accidents and injury to equipment and operators. By virtue of the constructions above described, the temporary supporting means for the forward end of the trailer is moved to a position relatively close to the extreme forward end of the trailer when the tractor is uncoupled therefrom and thereby'insures adequate support for the vehicle while it is being loaded and unloaded, and precludes any possibility of "nose-diving. v

It will be understood from the foregoing that the auxiliary frame of the various modified forms of the invention, constitutes a shiftable carrier which wholly supports a temporary ground-engaging nnit having articulated connection therewith. In one of its broad aspects, therefore, the invention'embodies a shifting movement of the mounting member by which the temporary ground-engaging unit is suspended on the trailer,

and supplementing this shifting movement of the mounting member, the temporary supporting vunit is afforded 'an articulated movement relatively to the mounting member to the end that.

said unitmay be more effectively positioned for operative engagement with the ground, andraised to an inoperative position affording unusually great cl.

the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame beingfadapted for forward movement relativeto the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer and adapted for return movement by the coupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, and means associated with the temporary supporting means and responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer for positively shifting the temporary supporting means forwardly relative to the auxiliary frame to assume a position adjacent the for-'- wardend of the trailer at a substantial distance forward of the position normally assumed by said supporting means when disposed in inoperative position, said means being adapted'in response to relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame in coupling the tractor and trailer for shifting said supporting means rearwardly relative to the auxiliary frame, to inoperative positionr I 21 In a semi-trailer, the combination of a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, means on the auxiliary-frame for coupling the trailer to .a tractor, said auxiliary frame being. adapted for bodily forward movement in asubstantially horizontal direction during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame,

- and means associated with said temporary suplongitudinally'movable relative thereto, means on i the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame beingadapted for bodily forward movement in a substantially horizontal direction during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, and means associated with said temporary supporting means and controlled by the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame, incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, for positively shifting the temporary supporting means forwardly and downwardly relativelyto the auxiliary frame to assume load-supporting position adjacent the front end of the trailer at a a substantial distance forward of their inoperative position. v

.4. In a semi-trailer-including an auxiliary frame carried'thereby and longi tudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling 'of the tractor and trailer;

temporary supporting means carried by and movable'relative to the auxiliary frame, and means associatedwith -said temporary supporting means and controlled by the relative movement of theauxlliary frame and main frame, incident tocoupling of the tractor and railer, for positively a main frame,

shifting the temporary supporting means for wardly relative to the auxiliary frame to assume a position adjacent the forward end of the trailer at a substantial distance forward of the position normally assumed by said supporting means when disposed in inoperative position.

5. In a semi-trailer including a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitu dinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer and adapted for return movement by the coupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, and means associated. with the temporary supporting means and responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer for positively shifting the temporary supporting means forwardly relative to the auxiliary frame toassume a position adjacent the forward end of the trailer at a substantial distance forward of the position normally assumed by said supporting means when disposed in inoperative position, said means being adapted in response to relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame in coupling sthe tractor and trailer for shifting said supporting means rearwardly relative to the auxiliary frame, to inoperative position.

6. In a semi-trailer including a main frame, an anxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer and adapted for return movement by the coupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the aux, iliary frame, means associated with the temporary supporting means and responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame, incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, for causing the temporary supporting means to move forwardly relative to the auxiliary frame and assume a position adjacent the forward end of the trailer at a substantial distance forward of the position normally assumed by said supporting means when disposed in inoperative position, and separate means associated with said temporary supporting means and adapted in response to return movement of the auxiliary frame, incident to coupling of the tractor and trailer for shifting said supporting means rearwardly relative to the auxiliary frame, to inoperative position.

'7. In a semi-trailer including a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means associated and bodily movable with the auxiliary frame and longitudinally movable relatively to said auxiliary frame, and means associated withsaid temporary supporting means and controlled by the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame, incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, for positively shifting the temporary supporting means forwardly relative to the auxiliary to assume an upwardly and forwardly inclined position during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, and means associated with the temporary supporting means and responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer for positively shifting the temporary supporting means forwardiy relative to the auxiliary frame, into operative load-supporting position.

9. In a semi-trailer including a mainframe, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being forwardly extensible into an upwardly inclined position during uncoupling and separation'of the tractor and trailer, and being adapted for return movement by the coupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried on and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, means responsive to relative extensible movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer for positively shifting said'supporting means in position, adjacent the front end of the trailer at a substantial distance forward of the position normally assumed in inoperative position, and means adapted to positively shift the supporting means rearwardly relative to the auxiliary frame to inoperative position by the return movement of the auxiliary frame in coupling of the tractor and trailer.

10. In a semi-trailer, the combination of a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward longitudinal movement in a substantially horizontal direction during un-' coupling of the tractor and trailer, temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, and means associated with said temporary supporting means and controlled by the relative longitudinal movement of the auxiliary frame and mairf frame, incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, for causing the temporary supporting means to be moved downwardly into operative load-supporting .position.

11. In a semi-trailer, the combination of a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward longitudinal movement in a substantially horizontal direction during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, and means associated with said temporary supporting means and controlled by the relative longitudinal movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame, incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, for causing the during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer;

temporary supporting means carried by and movvable relative to the auxiliary frame, said means including leg members mounted for pivoting about their upper ends and adapted to assume upright position when moved to operative position, brace members connected to said leg members, and means associated with said brace members and responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary. frame and main frame, incident to uncoupling of thetractor and trailer, for causing said supporting legs to swing about their pivot axes to assume operative load-supporting position adjacent the front end of the trailer.

13. In a semi-trailer including a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted. for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, said means including leg members pivotally connected at their upper ends to said auxiliary frame, jointed brace members for controlling the movement of said legs about their pivots, and cam means including a part on the main frame and a cooperating part associated with the jointed braces and responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame, incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, foi' positively moving said legs about their pivots into operative load-supporting position adjacent the front end of the trailer.

14. In a semi-trailer including a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor. said auxiliary'frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer and adapted for return movement by the coupling. of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, said means including leg members pivoted adjacent their upper ends to said auxiliary frame, jointed braced members connected to said legs for controlling their movement, said legs being adapted to assume upright load-supporting position adjacent the front end of the. trailer when the tractor and trailer are uncoupled, and cam means including parts on the main frame and cooperating parts associated with the brace members and responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame, incident to coupling of the tractor and trailer, for positively swinging the legs rearwardly for raising them out of operative position.

15. In the'construction defined in claim 14, together with separate cam means including parts on the main frame and'cooperating parts associated with the brace members, and responsive to therelative movement of the frame, incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, for positively moving said leg members forwardly about their pivots into operativeposition adjacent the front end of the trailer.

16. In a semi-trailer including a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward longitudinal -movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer; temporarysupporting means carried on and bodily movable relative to the auxiliary frame, and means associated with said temporary supporting means and responsive to the relative longitudinal movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame, incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, for positively shifting said temporary supporting means forwardly on the auxiliary frame to assume a position at the forward end of the trailer at a substantial distance forward of its position when disposed in inoperative position.

17. In a semi-trailer including a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer and adapted for return movement by the coupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and bodily movable relative to theauxiliary frame, said means including leg members mounted for pivotal movement about their upper ends, and means responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame, incident: to uncoupling of the tractor and'trailer, for swinging said legs downwardly about their pivots and simultaneously'moving them bodily forwardly relative to the auxiliary frame to assume operative load-supporting position adjacent the front end of the trailer at a substantial distance forward of the position normally assumed in inoperative position.

18. In the construction defined in claim 1'1, said last mentioned means including a flexible member fixedly connected at one end to the main frame, and its other end connected to the supporting means remote from the pivot of the legs,

and a sheave wheel on the auxiliary frame tractor, said auxiliary frame being tiltable to assume an upwardly and forwardly inclined position during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, said means including leg members mounted for pivoting about their" upper ends and adapted to assume upright position when moved to operative position, brace members connected to said leg members, and means cooperating with said brace members and responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame, incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, for causing said supporting legs to swing about their pivot axes to assume operative load-supporting position adjacent the front end of the trailer.

20. In a semi-trailer including a mainframe, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, and

bodily forwardly relative to the auxiliary frame to assume operative load-supporting position adjacent the front end of the trailer, and means responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame incident to the coupling of the tractor and trailer for swinging said legs rearwardly and simultaneously moving them bodily on said auxiliary frame to inoperative position.

21. In the construction defined in claim 20', said separate means for actuating the legs to and from operative position comprising two sets of oppositely extending flexible cables each having one end secured to the main frame and the opposite ends secured to the supporting means remotely from the pivotof said legs, and two sets of sheave wheels secured to the auxiliary frame in longitudinally spaced apart relation fore-andaft with respect to the range of movement of said supporting means, over which sheaves said sets of flexible cables are trained.

22. In a. semi-trailer including a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer and adapted for return movement by coupling of the tractor and trailer, unitary supporting means carried by and bodily movable and swingable relative to the auxiliary frame, said means including a rigid triangular frame structure, one side of which comprises a supporting leg, a ground-engaging wheel carried at the lower end of said leg, a roller at the upper end of said leg arranged for longitudinal movement in a guideway of the auxiliary frame, and about the axis of which roller said triangular frame structure is adapted to swing, a roller journaled at the other corner of said triangular frame, means on the auxiliary frame having a downwardly inclined guideway in which said last mentioned roller is confined to move for controlling the forward and swinging -movement of said unitary supporting means relative to the auxiliary frame, and means responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame incident to uncoupling of the tractor and .trailer for swinging said unitary supporting means downwardly about said roller axis while simultaneously moving it bodily forwardly on the auxiliary frame for disposing the same with the leg in substantially vertical operative load-supporting position adjacent'the front end of the trailer.

23. In the construction defined in claim 22, means responsive to the relative movement of the auxiliaryframe and main frame incident to coupling of the tractor and trailer for causing swinging of said unitary supporting structure in an upwardly direction about said roller axis while simultaneously shifting said supporting structure rearwardly on the auxiliary frame to its inoperative position.

24. In a semi-trailer includinga main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, said means including leg members pivotally connected at their upper ends to said auxiliary frame, jointed brace members having their lower ends connected to the legs and their upper ends pivotally connected to the auxiliary frame, cam means on the main frame, and cooperating roller elements carried by the upper members of said braces, whereby movement of the auxiliary frame incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer causes the rollers to engage said cam means for positively forcing said'braces in a downward direction to shift the legs about their pivots to operative load sup rting position.

25. In a semi-trailer including a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame 'during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, and adapted for return movement by the coupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, said means including leg members pivotally connected at their upper ends to said auxiliary frame, jointed brace members having their lower ends connected to the legs and their upper ends pivotally connected to the auxiliary frame, cam means on the main frame, and cooperating roller elements carried by the upper members of said braces, whereby movement of the auxiliary frame incident to coupling of the tractor and trailer forcibly buckles the brace members and positively raises and swings said legs in a rearward direction about their pivots to inoperative position.

26. In a semi-trailer including a main frame, an auxiliary'frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward movement relative to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, and adapted for return movement by the coupling of the tractor and trailer; temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, said means including leg members pivotally connected at their upper ends to said auxiliary frame, jointed brace members having their lower ends connected to the legs and their upper ends pivotally connected to the auxiliary frame, cam means on the main frame, and cooperating roller elements carried by the upper members of said braces, whereby movement of the auxiliary frame in a, forward direction for uncoupling of the tractor and trailer causes the rollers to engage said cam means for positively forcing said braces to shift the legs to operative position, and additional cam means on said main frame adapted to be engaged by said roller elements during-return movement of the auxiliary frame incident to coupling of the tractor and trailer for forcibly buckling the brace members and positively raising and swinging the legs rearwardly about their pivots to inoperative position.

2'7. In the construction defined in claim 26, said last mentioned cam means having its effective surface shaped so that in response to the forward movement of the auxiliary frame incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer said supporting legs will tend to swing downwardly to operative position under the influence of gravity.

28. In a semi-trailer, the combination of a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being tiltable to assume an upwardly and forwardly inclined position during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, means for guiding the rear end of the auxiliary frame throughout its range of tiltingmovement, temporary supporting means carried by and movable relative to the auxiliary frame, said means including leg members pivotally connected at their upper ends tosaid auxiliary frame, jointed brace members having their lower ends connected to said legs and their upper ends pivotally connected to the auxiliary frame.

cam means rigidly associated with said guide means, and cooperating roller elements carried by the upper members of said braces, whereby the .return movement of said tilted auxiliary frame causes said roller elements to engage said cam means for causing forcible buckling of said brace members, and thereby raises and swings said legs rearwardly about their pivots to inoper ative position.

r 29. In the construction defined in claim 28, said cooperating roller elements comprising a plurality of rollers spaced along each of said upper brace members, and adapted to engage said cam means in sequence for gradually and positively causing raising and swinging of saidlegs to inoperative position.

30. The combination with a tractor, a seinitrailer having a main frame, an auxiliary frame carried thereby and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and a fifth wheel for swivelly supporting one end of the trailer on the tractor, including a lower member mounted on the tractor and an upper member carried on the trailer, said auxiliary frame being adapted for forward longitudinal movement relatively to the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer; of temporary supporting means carried by and movable relatively to the auxiliary frame, and means associated with the temporary supporting means and controlled by the relative movement of the auxiliary frame and main frame incident to uncoupling of the tractor and trailer for positively shifting the temporary supporting means forwardly relative to the auxiliary frame to assume a position adjacent the'fo'rward end of the trailer at a substantial distance forward of its position when disposed in inoperative position.

31. In 'a semi-trailer including a main frame; an auxiliary frame telescopically associated with said main frame, and means on the auxiliary frame for coupling the trailer to a tractor, said auxiliary frame being adapted for bodily forwardly extensible movement relative to and partially beyond the front end'of the main frame during uncoupling of the tractor and trailer;, temporary supporting means bodily carried on and movable relative to the auxiliary frame.-and

for positively shifting the supporting means forwardly relative to the auxiliary frame to assume a position adjacent the forward end of the trailer.

,32. In combination, a trailer frame, supporting means for the front end of said frame when disconnected from a tractor vehicle, said supporting means comprising a unit shiftable forwardly and rearwardly respecting the front end of the frame, and supporting parts for contact with the ground mounted for articulated support by and upon the said unit.

33. In combination, a trailer frame, supporting means for the front end of said frame when disconnected from a tractor vehicle, said supporting means comprising a unit shiftable forwardly and rearwardly respecting the front end of the frame, and ground-engaging supporting parts mounted for articulation upon the said unit, with means intermediate said supporting parts and said unit so that shifting movement of the unit effects the articulation of the supporting parts.

34. In combination, a trailer vehicle, havingits front end adapted to be supported by a tractor vehicle, and supporting means for the trailer vehicle to support the front end thereof when it is disconnected from the tractor vehicle, said supporting means comprising a carrier shiftable ,forwardly and rearwardly on the trailer frame,

35. In combination, a trailer vehicle, having its front end adapted to be supported by a tractor vehicle, and supporting means for the trailer vehicle to support the front end thereof when it is disconnected from the tractor vehicle, said supporting means comprising'a carrier shiftable forwardly and rearwardly on the trailer frame, and articulating supporting parts to cooperate with the ground movable bodily with said carrier forwardly and rearwardly on the trailer frame and movable on the carrier to be shifted toward and from the ground, with instrumentalities intermediate the carrier and said ground cooperating supporting parts to actuate the latter incident to the shifting movement of the carrier.

38. In combination, a trailer vehicle, having its front end adapted to be supported by a tractor vehicle, and supporting means for the trailer veporting means comprising a carrier slidable forwardly and rearwardly on the trailer frame, sup-' porting means for ground contact mounted on the carrier and shiftahle bodily therewith, and instrumentalities to cause downward movement of the supporting means relatively to the carrier for ground contact incident to sliding movement of the carrier on the trailer frame.

37. In combination, a trailer frame, having its front end adapted to be supported by a tractor vehicle, and supporting means for the trailer frame to support the front end thereof when it is disconnected from the tractor vehicle, said supporting means comprising a carrier, sliding connections between the said carrier and the trailer frame, ground contacting supporting parts mounted on the carrier and foldable in respect thereto inorder to'be elevated and lowered, and

means for actuating solid ground contacting supporting parts and simultaneously causing bodily shitting thereof-by bodily actuation of the carrier.

38. In combination, a trailer, and a support for the front end ot the trai1er,"comprising a carrier, ground contacting means for supporting the trailer mounted on the carrier, means enabling the carrier to move bodily on the trailer, and instrumentalities for moving the groundcontacting means relatively to the carrier, and bodily with the carrier.

39. In a trailer, as temporary ground-engaging support, a carrier for bodily suspending said support, said carrier being shfltable to position said support with respect to said trailer, said support being shiitable relative to said carrier, and means operable incident to the coupling of said trailer to a tractor vehicle for shifting said support relatively to said carrier.

40. In a trailer construction, a main irame, having road wheels at one end thereof, a shiftable support for the opposite end thereot including ground engaging members movable relative to 'the'support into and out of ground-engaging position; means for moving said members, means for moving said support and said members, and

means for locking said support in one or more po- 7 sitions of adjustment.

41. In a trailer, a irame, a drait coupling instrumentality having a mounting shiitable loresaid temporary support incident to the application of force to said draft coupling instrumentality tending to shift the latter relatively to the frame. 20 

